If you’ve noticed that your furnace seems to be turning on and off more frequently, it may be short cycling, an issue that not will not only hamper the heating performance of the system but can also lead to a sudden breakdown. Before dealing with this problem, you’ll need to determine what’s causing the furnace to short cycle in the first place. A trusted HVAC company in the area, Tyler LLC, shares what you need to know here.
1. The flame sensor may be broken. The purpose of the flame sensor is to ensure that the gas valve has fired and isn’t sending raw gas into your home. If it becomes damaged, it will shut off the gas valve because it doesn’t sense a furnace flame. You’ll know the flame sensor is broken when the furnace shuts off almost immediately after it lights.
What to Do. Having the flame sensor cleaned or replaced by a trusted local HVAC technician will usually do the trick.
2. The furnace filter is clogged. When dust and other debris accumulate on the furnace filters, this can create blockages that result in poor airflow. As a result, the furnace may overheat, causing its high-limit switch to shut down the system before it reaches the desired temperature for your home.
What to Do. It’s important for the filters to be cleaned or changed regularly. Doing so at least once a month will do the trick.
3. The furnace is too big for your home. Bigger isn’t always better when choosing a furnace for your home. An oversized system tends to short cycle because it will heat up air much too quickly and then shut off just as fast once the set temperature is met. This is a major waste of energy, and the worse part is the furnace won’t even heat your home consistently.
What to Do. Unfortunately, you can’t repair an oversized furnace. To ensure that your home gets its heating demands met, you’ll need to have the furnace replaced with one that’s the right size.
Schedule an HVAC Consultation
If it’s already time to have your furnace replaced, look no further than Tyler LLC. Utilizing top-tier products and workmanship that’s backed by experience, we’ll make sure your project proceeds safely and smoothly. Call us today at (203) 378-4700 or fill out this contact form to schedule an HVAC evaluation. We proudly serve Stratford, CT, and other areas in the Fairfield and New Haven counties.
